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Monday, November 12, 2012

"Baltimore Rhapsody" Block #12 - the bassoon, the bass of the woodwinds

The bassoon rounds out the woodwind section of the "Baltimore Rhapsody" symphony blocks. (Read more about the "Baltimore Rhapsody" project here.)

The body of the bassoon is wooden and would stretch to 8 feet long if it wasn't doubled up so that the player can reach all the keys. The longer the instrument's body or tubing, the lower the sound. The bassoon plays in the bass and tenor range...very low.

A thin, metal tube, or bocal, connects the body of the instrument to the double reed...two pieces of reed that are tied together and trimmed carefully to make the mouthpiece.

Air blown through this double reed causes the reeds to vibrate to produce the tone in the same way as the oboe and English horn. Some people consider the distinctive bassoon sound to be the "comedian" or "clown" of the orchestra.

The bassoon represented the comical, ever-increasing, enchanted brooms carrying buckets of water in the Disney cartoon Fantasia's version of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" by Dukas.

It can also play sweet melodies or whisper the deep tragic feelings expressed in the opening of Tchaikowsky's "Pathetique" Symphony #6.

Remember the "59th Street Bridge Song" by Simon and Garfunkel (also called "Feelin' Groovy")? The bassoon was featured prominently in that top 40 hit of 1966 (probably the only pop song to feature a bassoon...).

The bassoon was invented in 1600. It is used in orchestras, bands, and woodwind quintets (along with flute, oboe, clarinet and French horn).

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Baltimore Rhapsody - Symphony

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I'm a quilter, musician, wife, mother of a college sophmore, research biochemist (used-to-be), compulsive organizing freak, and a lover of all the history surrounding quilting. I am drawn to all forms of quilting, but particularly like to do hand applique and hand quilting, which I tend to approach with a wacky, weird sense of humor. After dabbling with pattern doodling, I'm offering some patterns for purchase through my online store (see the link above). I have recently returned to my state of origin after 25 years in the Midwest...wasn't really a Midwesterner, but not really a Southerner anymore...in limbo!